'Official' Reviewer? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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Finnforest View Drop Down

Special Collaborator

Honorary Collaborator

Joined: February 03 2007
Location: The Heartland
Status: Offline
Points: 16913

Topic: 'Official' Reviewer?
Posted: October 25 2007 at 21:53

I have a friend who managed to get a book published on prog...and I can tell you, even if you manage to pull off the deal (no small feat), there's very little money in it. I imagine the same is true of writing for mags, unless you get to the top of the profession.

Frankly I'd rather write here knowing that I'm helping create a large database, and hope that there's a few people along the way who might try something they might not have, based on something I wrote.

Easy Livin View Drop Down

Special Collaborator

Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Joined: February 21 2004
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 15585

Posted: October 25 2007 at 10:14

I think you also have to think carefully about whether you want to go professional. You would probably have to listen to a lot more msuic you didn't like much. You would be under timescale pressures, and probably have targets.

To me it would take the pleasure out of reviewing if it became an occupation.

andrea

Prog Reviewer

Joined: May 20 2005
Location: Italy
Status: Offline
Points: 2064

Posted: October 25 2007 at 09:17

If you can understand Italian this is an interesting article about "writing professional reviews"...

http://www.nazioneindiana.com/2007/10/25/la-solitudine-del-recensore/

Edited by andrea - October 25 2007 at 09:18

ghost_of_morphy View Drop Down

Prog Reviewer

Joined: March 08 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 2755

Posted: October 25 2007 at 01:51

Atavachron wrote:

the best thing to do is write - a lot - when you have some really solid reviews send them to the sites or people you're interested in... and work hard; write articles, concert reviews, interviews from artists who are popular enough to garner interest in your piece but small enough to give you the time-- in short, get noticed

Some really good advice there on expanding your credentials beyond writing a review. Plenty of people can write a competent review. It's what else you bring to the table that will set you apart.

stonebeard View Drop Down

Forum Senior Member

Joined: May 27 2005
Location: NE Indiana
Status: Offline
Points: 28057

Posted: October 24 2007 at 23:13

Become a huge music snob.

What other credentials are there to review for the likes of Pitchforkmedia?

O' course, you could always start your own underground magazine. Not many people care about prog anyway.

Edited by stonebeard - October 24 2007 at 23:14

My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want!

Atavachron View Drop Down

Special Collaborator

Honorary Collaborator

Joined: September 30 2006
Location: Pearland
Status: Online
Points: 65224

Posted: October 24 2007 at 23:10

the best thing to do is write - a lot - when you have some really solid reviews send them to the sites or people you're interested in... and work hard; write articles, concert reviews, interviews from artists who are popular enough to garner interest in your piece but small enough to give you the time-- in short, get noticed

Edited by Atavachron - October 25 2007 at 00:21

ProgBagel

Prog Reviewer

Joined: May 13 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 2819

Posted: October 24 2007 at 23:01

I was wondering on how hard it is to get a job reviewing prog-albums? Whether it be from the band itself, a website or a magazine.
Im sure there are people on here that probably do have a job reviewing albums.
I don't even really care if I get paid or not...recieving a copy or promo of the album for free to review or promote is an overwhelming blessing.